*Gov Receives Certificate Of Return From INEC
GUNMEN, in an unregistered vehicle, on Wednesday, August 19, opened fire very close to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, as Governor Ademola Adeleke was leaving after visiting the monarch.
It was gathered that there was an exchange of gunfire between the assailants, who came in a space bus, and the governor’s security aides for about 12 to 15 minutes.
Adeleke had arrived at palace about 3:15p.m. in a motorcade of about 20 vehicles after leaving the Osun State headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osogbo, where he received his Certificate of Return, following his re-election last Saturday, August 15.
An eyewitness said the governor and his entourage were being received by Oba Oyetunji, where the governor reportedly presented his Certificate of Return to the monarch, while the incident caused panic in the area, as traders and residents fled their businesses and sought safety during the shooting.
She said trouble started as the meeting was coming to a close after the monarch had offered prayers, and the governor had already left the hall through an exit reserved for the monarch and his wives, adding: “He was already in the bus that brought him and his close aides to the palace when we started hearing heavy gunshots.”
The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed the attack, saying the governor’s security personnel successfully repelled the assailants and that no casualty was recorded.
He added: “They are hoodlums, and the governor’s security repelled them. They attacked the governor’s convoy at Ataoja’s palace. No casualty.”
Earlier in the day, Adeleke had announced measures to support families affected by electoral violence ahead of the governorship election by awarding automatic scholarships up to university level to children and dependents of those who lost their lives.
He also announced plans to establish a N500million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund to provide relief and support to verified victims and affected families.
